Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - Larry Gains Plaque

The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation is partnering with the Federal Government's Parks Canada to create a bronze plaque to commemorate the lake heavyweight fighter, Larry Gains, a historic national person of Canada.

Larry Gains, the Canadian-born heavyweight boxer, rose to prominence during the 1920s and 1930s, clinching both the Canadian and British Empire Titles. Despite being recognized as one of boxing's elite, racial discrimination in the interwar period hindered his quest for the World Heavyweight Title. During this era, Black boxers, including Gains, were relegated to competing for the segregated World Colored Championship. While most of his matches took place in Europe, Gains proudly represented Canada as the national champion, drawing substantial crowds to his fights. His immense popularity shattered racial barriers when he became the first Black boxer to compete at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Larry Gains was born on December 12, 1900, in Toronto, Ontario. He hailed from a boxing legacy, with his maternal grandfather, Dave Henderson, having escaped slavery in Virginia and found refuge in Canada via the Underground Railroad. Gains' upbringing was in a modest neighbourhood in Toronto's eastern part, where he developed a deep admiration for American Jack Johnson, the inaugural Black Heavyweight World Champion. In his youth, Gains underwent training at the Praestamus Athletic Club, an institution dedicated to nurturing Black boxing talents in Toronto.

For Larry Gains, the City of Toronto has requested an armour stone mount, to fit in with the other features of the park. Stone mounts are a great option in dense urban areas as they do not require utility locates.